Question on wheel size
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Me Gusta History
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Question on wheel size
My 2000 Accord comes with 15x6.5 inch wheels, they weigh between 18 and 19 pounds.
Two wheels I'm interested in are differenc sizes and I can't make up my mind between less sidewall and more contact patch.
One is a borbet type B, 16x7.5 and weighs 19.5 lbs.
One is an Enkei PK6, 17x7 and weighs between 19 and 20 lbs.
Since their weight is similar, weight distribution, sidewall, and contact patch are the only things that come to mind as different.
What would a wheel and tire guru say is the best combination for me? Just basic street driving. I like the bling factor of the 17's but i'd rather sacrifice style for performance.
Two wheels I'm interested in are differenc sizes and I can't make up my mind between less sidewall and more contact patch.
One is a borbet type B, 16x7.5 and weighs 19.5 lbs.
One is an Enkei PK6, 17x7 and weighs between 19 and 20 lbs.
Since their weight is similar, weight distribution, sidewall, and contact patch are the only things that come to mind as different.
What would a wheel and tire guru say is the best combination for me? Just basic street driving. I like the bling factor of the 17's but i'd rather sacrifice style for performance.
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Re: Question on wheel size (accordselux)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by accordselux »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I can't make up my mind between less sidewall and more contact patch.</TD></TR></TABLE>
As long as the air pressure in your tires is supporting the weight of your car, the size of the contact patch depends only on the air pressure in the tires and the weight of your car, and not on the size of the wheels or tires.
For example, if you have a 3200 pound Accord, and you inflate all the tires to 32 pounds per square inch, the area of the four contact patches will total 100 square inches - regardless of whether your tires are skinny 175/80-15 or beefy 245/35-18 (or any other size).
The size will stay the same, but the shape of the contact patch may differ - usually wider (side to side) and narrower (front to back) with wider tires.
As long as the air pressure in your tires is supporting the weight of your car, the size of the contact patch depends only on the air pressure in the tires and the weight of your car, and not on the size of the wheels or tires.
For example, if you have a 3200 pound Accord, and you inflate all the tires to 32 pounds per square inch, the area of the four contact patches will total 100 square inches - regardless of whether your tires are skinny 175/80-15 or beefy 245/35-18 (or any other size).
The size will stay the same, but the shape of the contact patch may differ - usually wider (side to side) and narrower (front to back) with wider tires.
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Re: Question on wheel size (accordselux)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by accordselux »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So the 17's will be no different really?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I wouldn't say that, exactly. For example, you may find that tire selection is easier in 17" than in 16" (for some reason, 16" doesn't seem to have as many tires available as 15" or 17"). But I would say that performance differences due to factors other than tire availability are going to be pretty darn insignificant, unless you're autocrossing at a level where every hundredth of a second is going to matter.
I wouldn't say that, exactly. For example, you may find that tire selection is easier in 17" than in 16" (for some reason, 16" doesn't seem to have as many tires available as 15" or 17"). But I would say that performance differences due to factors other than tire availability are going to be pretty darn insignificant, unless you're autocrossing at a level where every hundredth of a second is going to matter.
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Me Gusta History
Joined: Mar 2004
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Re: Question on wheel size (nsxtasy)
Yes, I looked at your math and it makes sense, and since i'm not planning to be an autocrossing machine on the Accord, it really wouldnt matter...the only thing that matters is rotating weight since I want to maintain fuel economy.
Thanks for your help, i'll pick a good tire to match with the 17" and keep it properly inflated
Thanks for your help, i'll pick a good tire to match with the 17" and keep it properly inflated
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